There are a number of risk factors that increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) some of which you can change and some you can’t. Risk factors that you can change are called modifiable risk factors and include things like smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being overweight and physical inactivity. Risk factors that you don’t have control over include diabetes, a family history of heart disease, age and ethnic group. To prevent cardiovascular disease you need to reduce the risk and keep your heart healthy. Eating a healthy balanced diet, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and taking regular physical activity will also help to keep your heart healthy. Current guidelines suggest that if you are at high risk you may need to be treated with medicines such as statins which can help to lower cholesterol levels.
